The Ottoman peoples and the end of empire /

McCarthy, Justin, 1945-

The Ottoman peoples and the end of empire / Justin McCarthy. - London : New York : Arnold ; Oxford : Distributed by St. Martin's Press, 2001. - 234 p. : ill., maps ; 24 cm. - Historical endings . - Historical endings. .

Includes bibliographical references (p. [225]-226) and index.

Introduction -- Reforming the Empire -- The Balkans -- Ottoman Asia -- The Balkan Wars -- World War I -- The peace conferences -- The Turkish War of Independence -- The Balkans after the wars -- Mandates in the Arab provinces -- he Turkish Republic -- Legacy and consequences.

"The late Ottoman Empire is usually depicted as terminally ill, 'the sick man of Europe' according to the great powers in the nineteenth century. Justin McCarthy argues strongly that the Ottoman Empire ultimately collapsed not because of any problems 'within' but because of the imperial ambitions of outside powers and the irresistible tide of nationalism. He is not blind to the weaknesses of the empire - particularly its inability to modernize its economy or finances at a sufficient pace - but in light of the baleful developments in the Balkans and Middle East in the twentieth century, it is impossible not to reflect on the opportunities lost as a result of the Ottoman demise. Until the final years of the empire, peoples of different religions lived together who have been unable to live together since. Millions have been displaced, millions more killed, and the conflicts engendered by the passing into history of the Ottoman Empire continue to plague the world today."--Jacket.

0340706562 9780340706565 0340706570 (pbk.) 9780340706572 (pbk.)

2001273284


Turkey--History--19th century.
Turkey--History--20th century.
Balkan Peninsula--History--19th century.
Balkan Peninsula--History--20th century.
Middle East--History--19th century.
Middle East--History--20th century.
Turkey--History--Ottoman Empire, 1288-1918.